Mike and wife Adrienne welcomed a son and daughter to their family in the two years before he died

Mike was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2014 at the age of 26, after doctors discovered a tumour in his bowel.

Initially he was told he had constipation and was sent away from hospital twice with medication for the common condition.

It was only a couple of weeks later, when he was crying in agony and when his wife refused to leave with more constipation medication, that he was sent for a scan.

The tumour was successfully removed in an operation and then he began a six-month course of chemotherapy.

Following his treatment he went into remission and went back to work.

During a later scan a second tumour was discovered in his stomach lining.

Mike underwent a second operation and the tumour was removed.

His son, Kaiden, was born shortly before Mike and Adrienne married in April 2015.

Mike restarted his chemotherapy, followed by radiotherapy which had little effect, and in October 2015 he was recalled to the hospital to be told there was a third tumour which was inoperable due to its position between his pancreas and his bowel.

In January last year he was told he had just two years to live, just a month before his daughter, Gracie, was born in February.

Adrienne said: "Being in Dove House Hospice has made a massive difference, not just for Mike, but for the whole family. They don't just look after him, they look after us all.

"They've just been fantastic, they've controlled his vomiting, they've helped with his pain relief and we all want to pay them back for what they have done for us.

"We want to repay them so they can keep Dove House going."

Friends of Mike have also taken part in a series of fundraising activities to raise money for the appeal, including a sponsored head shave.

Mike also leaves behind his mum and dad, Sue and Derek, his sister, Kim, and her husband, David.